i am above averave in high school, but i want to be a physical therapy assistant, which requires an associates degree. i have a friend that said that my life wouldnt be very good if i dont go and get a bachelors degree. but, most of the other people i talk to say that IT IS CONSIDERED A COLLEGE DEGREE. please help me.
2007-05-29 10:46:05 · 5 answers · asked by Anonymous in Education & Reference ➔ Other - Education
An associates degree is a college degree. Yet, as a PTA, your career will be very limited. If you have any inkling that you would like to advance your career, sit for advanced certifications, become department manager, then I highly suggest you go directly for the PT degree. This is a master's or doctorate level. There are only two programs in the country that bridge from PTA to PT...therefore, for 99% of people who wish to become a PT, it's worth it to go for it right from the beginning.
If you will be happy as a PTA, then your associates degree should be fine. But if you want to be making more than an "average" salary, you will not be happy. Also, there is a very early ceiling in the career of a PTA. So, it depends on what you want out of life. I know and respect many PTAs and they feel very fulfilled in their lives and find that PTA career let's them balance family and career...even though none of them are very wealthy. Look in your heart.
2007-05-29 15:05:32 · answer #1 · answered by mistify 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
No it's not. An associate is entirely different from a bachelor's degree. An associate takes only 2 years to finish while a bachelor's degree takes 4 to 5 years. In any job hiring, a bachelor's degree holder is very much preferred, some even requires a masteral or doctorate. If you want a chance at a bright future, go for a bachelor's degree.
2007-06-06 08:37:19 · answer #2 · answered by annabelle p 7 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Hello. An associate's degree is a 2 year college degree. If you want to be a physical therapy assistant throughout your life, I would just get the associate's degree. But, if you want to advance positions, such as to management, I would get a bachelor's degree. It depends on what you want to do with your life. A friend of mine has been working and got a new car with her associate's degree in physical therapy. She is happy. It's just up to you.
2007-05-29 17:53:11 · answer #3 · answered by Debra L 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
it's better than nothing. My daughter has attended college for 5 years and still doesn't have an associates. Many med professions, EMT's and such only require an associate's degree. It works in the med profession, so go for it. If you're not happy being a pt, go back to school. An associates is better than years in college with nothing.
2007-05-29 17:55:34 · answer #4 · answered by muppetkiller_2000 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Yes an associates is considered a college degree. The higher your education though the more money you will make in life, and the easier it will be to find jobs. So yes get your associates to start out, but continue your education from there.
2007-05-29 17:51:28 · answer #5 · answered by Pengy 7 · 3⤊ 0⤋